(AP) -- The Houston Rockets opened one of the most challenging portions of their schedule with a marquee victory.

They'll have another chance to make a statement Tuesday night when they visit the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks, but they'll be without NBA leading scorer James Harden.

Houston (41-18) opened a set of three games against some of the league's best teams by defeating Cleveland 105-103 in overtime Sunday. Tuesday's date with Atlanta (47-12) comes a day before a matchup with Memphis, which it trails by 1 1/2 games in the Southwest Division.